Marie Antoinette

Aight, so der was dis wuman called lyk Marie Antoinette or sumting, and she is from lyk tiiiiiiiiiiime ago ygm, like b4 wes wus lyk born yeh. She wus lyk da fifteenth kid or sumting of her momma. Besicly her momma was poppin em out lyk dogs yeh, man its lyk dey aint even herd of lyk da pill or sumting, and so yeh she is from lyk dis place called Austria, fink dats lyk near skeggy yeh.

So yeh anywai, Mazza was lyk da princess of lyk dat tiny citae called France coz she married dis well UGLAY dude called lyk Louis da X to da V to da I or sumting weird lyk dat when she wus lyk 14. Lazza is obvs a crdle snatcher or sumting.

Bt yeah, da peeps of France lyked her at da start cause dey thought she wus bangtidy but dey soon dislyked her coz she was SCANDALIZED. Sum peeps thought shed had lyk dis affair or sumting wiv dis man coz she wnted a diamnd necklace n so every1 thought she wus all slaggy. Dey also din’t lyk her as she wernt lyk her momma an’ poppin’ dem kids out.  Mazza did ‘av some kidz in da end bt lyk i fink Lazza hd 2 b taught sum mves or sumting, either dat or Mazza hd sum affair n she dnt no hu da babi daddi wus so she tld Lazza it wus him or sumting. She wus also a reyt biatch 2 sum of her gladems as well lyk.

Den,  tings jst kept gettin worse 4 poor mazza, coz der wus dis lyk revolution or sumting n she wus kicked aht her crib called lyk Palace of Versailles n hd 2 hide in Paris. Her famalam got caught n dey were moved to sum other place. Dey tried 2 escape agen but dat obvs failed and mazza wus charged wiv all dis stuf lyk aiding da enemy coz she was lyk from Austria ahd shiz n making a war happen’ n sooooo she lost dat head of hers, 2 bad.

The End.

How does Austen create her characters in chapter 11 of Pride and Prejudice?

Austen uses a variety of ways and techniques to create characters in chapter 11. One of the most effective ways in which Austen creates characters is through the merging of the narrator’s voice and opinion with Elizabeth’s, “their powers of conversation were considerable”. Austen’s use of merging the opinions gives some authority to Elizabeth’s opinions and allows her views to influence the reader as well as make an inference about her character. Additionally, it presents Elizabeth as the main centre of consciousness in the novel.

Another effective way in which Austen creates characters is through the omniscient narrator.  Through the omniscient narrator we are able learn about certain characters motives and their thoughts. For example, “Miss Bingley’s eyes were instantly turned towards Darcy”. This suggests to the reader that Miss Bingley has a motive as she wants to attract Darcy and is quite intent, and in many ways desperate, in doing so. Miss Bingley also appears to be a fickle character due her hast at which she changes her attention “Jane was no longer the first object”; this also shows her motive further.

Furthermore, Austen use’s character interactions to help create characters, such as how Miss Bingley had “obtained private intelligence” about Mr Darcy’s lack of enthusiasm and care for cards. Austen’s use of actions therefore presents the character of Miss Bingley to the reader as quite sneaky. It also shows that her want of Darcy’s attention and affection is planned and methodical; this therefore presents Miss Bingley as a dedicated yet deceitful character.

In addition, when Miss Bingley walked by Darcy, he remained “inflexibly studious”. However, when Elizabeth Bennet walked past he “looked up…and unconsciously closed his book.” This therefore shows that Darcy has not interest in Miss Bingley because his affection and attraction lies with Elizabeth, and therefore Austen’s use of interactions highlights Darcy’s true feelings.

A main way in which Austen creates her characters in chapter 11 is through contrasts, such as between Mr Hurst, Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley, “made a slight bow; but diffuseness and warmth remained for Bingley’s salutation” showing that the character Mr Bingley is a friendlier and warm hearted character.

Towards the end of chapter 11, when Mr Darcy and Elizabeth are talking, Austen uses no attribution to their conversation. There is no “said” or “replied” involved/added; this therefore suggests that the characters are engrossed in their conversation and suggests a sense of intimacy between them. The conversation is also quite a flirty and playful one, as Elizabeth tricks Darcy about “vanity and pride”.

Additionally, Austen uses mimicking of characters as a way to create and develop them, for example, when Mr Darcy and Elizabeth are talking, Darcy mimics Elizabeth’s “And yours”. Austen’s addition of mimicking shows a flirtatious and teasing side to their conversation and presents Darcy’s affection to Elizabeth. However, near the beginning of the chapter it is mentioned how Darcy “took up a book” and “Miss Bingley did the same”. Miss Bingley’s copying and mimicking of Darcy suggests that she is trying to attract him and had no real intention of reading the book; this therefore presents her as quite an in genuine character.

*Quick Note: Austen has also structured and sequences the event of Mr Darcy reading and Miss Bingley doing the same to show Miss Bingley is mimicking and that the characters are not just reading books.

Another way in which characters are created is through the narrator mocking certain characters and their actions, such as Miss Bingley. “The attempt to be amused with her own book…only chosen because it was the second volume of his” creates a mockery of Miss Bingley and her actions and appears as if Austen is ridiculing the character because of her desperation.

The final, and one of the most effective ways in which Austen creates characters is through self-awareness and self –realisation some of the characters experience, for example, Darcy “began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention”. This shows that Darcy has realised his feelings for Elizabeth and presents the destination of the novel.

*NOTE: Showing/presenting some of the characters motives and thoughts also allow the reader to see the destination of the chapter

+ The structure, when the tone is set and the focus is presented at the beginning.      

 I haven’t planned it so it may not be well structured and may be quite jumbled so I may read through it later and give it a sense of order.

Characters in Maude Clare.

Christina Rossetti uses a variety of ways and techniques to write, create and tell the reader about the characters in Maude Clare.

One of the most effective ways in which Rossetti presents the characters to the reader is through the title of the poem, “Maude Clare”. This is effective as the title immediately places a focus upon the character Maude Clare as it presents her as a dominant character and centre of attention. It also suggests that Maude Clare is the main character and active party in the poem.  Additionally, the use of a female characters name in the title suggests that the female characters hold the power and are strong in this poem compared to males.

Furthermore, the final two words of the poem are “Maude Clare” and is said by her rival Nell , this suggests further that Maude Clare is a dominant character who has a commanding presence. However, it also allows the reader to reflect upon and consider the character of Maude Clare as  it presents the idea of conflict and suggests that Maude Clare isn’t as powerful as first thought as the reader is left to wonder if Maude Clare triumphed over Nell or vice versa.  

Another effective way/technique in which Rossetti creates characters in the poem is through speech/dialogue, for example, there is only one male character in the poem “Son Thomas” and he only speaks once and stutters whilst doing so, “Lady” “-Maude Clare” before hiding “his face”. This presents him as a weak character and suggests that males are weak in comparison to females, despite trying to be as strong and powerful “strove to match her scorn with scorn”.    

Additionally, Maude Clare has the most speech in the poem and therefore presents further that she is a dominating power, especially since she has stolen the show and the attention from Nell on her wedding day. Maude Clare also appears dominant and powerful  when she declares that she “washes my hands thereof” showing that she cannot be controlled by a man and shows that despite being rejected first she has gained control once more.

However, it also creates a whole new side to the character, “have brought my gift…to bless the marriage bed” presents Maude Clare as quite a vicious and mocking character that is overall quite bitter to the rejection she has faced. Furthermore, Maude Clare appears quite spiteful and arrogant as she has interrupted Nell’s wedding day to announce that she had an affair with Thomas and expects sympathy.

The character of Nell is also created and evolved through speech. She is the last character to speak in the poem despite it being her wedding day. Nell’s lack of speech in the poem until the end presents her as a less dominating and powerful woman. However, when Nell declares that whatever Maude Clare “leaves” she will “take” shows that despite the embarrassment and disgrace she has received on her wedding day she is a strong character in her own right as she will fight for man unlike Maude Clare who has “washed her hands thereof”. Additionally, Nell is presented as a resilient and almost admirable character because she complements Maude Clare “Yea though you’re taller by the head…more wise” even when Maude Clare has ruined her day.

Finally, it is Nell who ends the poem with “Maude Clare” showing that she is a strong character in a way as she has tried to gain some victory on Maude Clare and she has shined through in the end.

Another slightly less effective way in which Rossetti creates characters in Maude Clare is through chronology. Maude Clare is the first character to speak suggesting that she is of great importance whereas the other woman, Nell, is the last character to speak which suggests that she is not as important as Maude Clare. However, allowing Nell to speak last in the poem allows Rossetti to help create her character as it presents Nell as the innocent character who deserves the reader’s sympathy, as opposed to Maude Clare.

Finally, another effective way in which Rossetti creates and tells the reader about characters in Maude Clare is through comparisons and contrasts. The character Nell appears to be overshadowed by Maude Clare “his bride was like a village maiden…Maude Clare was like a queen” which helps create the characters as it shows how dominant Maude Clare is as she has stolen the attention off of the bride. (It also creates a sense of foreshadowing as the wrong comparison allows the reader to know something is wrong.) Additionally, the mention of how Nell was “pale with pride” whereas the bride groom was “pale with inward strife” helps create characters as it suggests the man is not overjoyed and in love with his new wife and suggests he has a fickle heart and isn't strong enough to stand up for what he wants.

Note: Females always have the voice in the poem. Even when the man speaks, he talks about women. Rossetti also uses very little, if not any, physical descriptions of the characters – therefore suggests the physical aspects and appearances of the characters are unimportant compared to their personalities. (Far-fetched) but Rossetti could be implying that Maude Clare’s dominance and want of attention drove the male away, even though he still loves her. 

My Opinion of Elizabeth Bennet.

My opinion of Elizabeth Bennet from the outset was that she was an intelligent and witty woman who does not particularly conform to her society’s opinions – she is who she wants to be and believes in what she wants to.

 In many ways my opinion could be biased, as the reader is swayed to like Elizabeth Bennet more than her sisters, due to the narrator mentioning in Chapter 1 that Elizabeth was Mr Bennet’s favourite as she possessed “something more of quickness than her sisters”. This not only presents Elizabeth as an interesting character, because she has been singled out and presented as different to other female characters, but her father’s fondness presents Elizabeth as a kind and loveable character. Especially since it appears Elizabeth is more like her farther in character, who is “a mixture of quick parts and sarcastic humour”, than her mother.

Furthermore, Elizabeth doesn’t appear to be a vain character. It is briefly mentioned by Mrs Bennet in Chapter 1 that she is “not half so handsome as Jane” but when Elizabeth is insulted by Darcy in Chapter 3 she does not appear to be hurt or affected, she infact tells the story “with great spirit”.  Thus presenting Elizabeth as a different individual as she cares more about what she thinks of herself rather than others. This is also shown by her arrival at Bingley’s in Chapter 7 with a “glowing face” and “dirty stockings” showing how Elizabeth is not bothered about how she is perceived by others and is an individual character.  

Like many other characters, Elizabeth’s description is short and is based upon an opinion/conclusion. However, unlike characters such as Darcy, Austen does not use bathos to bring an anti-climax towards her personality – it is infact, a wholly pleasant description. “She had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous” showing how Elizabeth has the ability to laugh at herself and be quite care free. She is also one of the few characters who displays, and has the capacity, for irony.

Throughout the novel, Elizabeth appears to be very close to her elder sister Jane, and continually dotes upon her. This is shown particularly in chapter 4 when Elizabeth claims that Mr Bingley “could not help seeing that you were about five times as pretty as every other woman.” Therefore presenting Elizabeth as a caring and compassionate character towards those she loves. The sister’s closeness is also shown through Elizabeth reprimanding Darcy for ruining Jane’s chance of happiness.

Finally, Elizabeth appears to be the, to a slight extent, the anti-conformist view. This is because she believes, unlike the majority of society, that marriage should be about love. She believes one should “understand his character” before marrying them, whereas others, like Charlotte, believe love can come second, “secure him…there will leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses”. And thus shows that Elizabeth has strong independent views.

Overall, my opinion of Elizabeth is that she is a witty individual, who is compassionate about those who are close to her and she loves. Her independent views show that she isn’t controlled by what her society deems correct. As mentioned earlier, I believe Elizabeth is who she wants to be and believe in what she wants to.